Blogs

Friday, January 22, 2010

Netilas Yadayim - Ritualistic Hand Washing Part IV

There are other situations that necessitate Halachic hand washing. Several are due to Ruach Ra’ah, which rests on ones hands in certain situations much as after sleeping, although the washing need not be with the same Halachic urgency, however one should wash as soon as possible.

After:

Entering a primitive bathroom and entering a bathhouse, even without using the facilities; Cutting nails and cutting hair; and touching parts of the body that are usually covered require washing until the wrist but only once on each hand (The Shelah writes that in all these cases one should wash three times).
Going to a cemetery, touching a dead body and having marital relations require three times according to Shaarei Tesuva because they have a higher level of Ruach Ra’ah. There is a minority opinion that includes going to the bathroom in this category.

Touching used leather shoes, touching sweaty areas or clothing, scratching your scalp, touching ear or nose waste (according to some), and changing a diaper all require hand washing due to cleanliness. This is different than Ruach Ra’ah in the respect that not the whole hand need be washed. According to some opinions marital relations and touching usually covered parts of the body are also included in this category.

A little more in depth:

Cutting nails – however they’re cut, and even if they are cut by someone else (a manicurist) although the person cutting does not have to wash their hands. This applies to both finger and toe nails. Nails that are bitten as a way of cutting them also require washing. For more on fingernails look here.

Cutting hair – Both the barber and the person getting a haircut (Barbie?) must wash their hands. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach has two interesting rulings here. If one takes a snip of a 3 year old boys hair at his upsherin (as is customary) he need not wash his hands, and after cutting the beard (or shaving) and payos one need not wash his hands.

Bathroom - According to most opinions modern bathrooms do not necessitate hand washing if one entered them and did not relieve themselves. [a port a potty would be different].
Parts of the body that are usually covered – in all places will include above the knees, the entire torso and back, and above the elbows. Elsewhere would depend on whether they are usually covered. It is questionable if this is because of Ruach Ra’ah or cleanliness and therefore one should wash their whole hand.

Funerals and cemeteries – if one was in the same building as, or came within 4 amos of, a decedent he must wash his hands. The minhag as recorded by the Rema is to wash ones hands before reentering a building. Rav Moshe Feinstein said that this only applies to a residence, not a public building.

Marital Relations – Since this is required for both Ruach Ra’ah and cleanliness purposes one should wash their whole hand. The Mishna Berura quotes an opinion that requires washing three times.

Subscribe to this blog

Meet Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber

Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber is sought after by all who know him for his Halachic and practical advice. His keen ability to put complicated matters into a digestible perspective coupled with his ability to get the facts, make him the perfect blogger to help us all “Do It Right”.

A native of Buffalo, NY, Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber spent his childhood globetrotting with his family. His pioneering spirit first surfaced in Melbourne, Australia, where he was excited to be a member of the opening class of Mesivta Bnei Torah. From Australia the Haber family settled down in Monsey, NY. Ever the maverick, Tzvi promptly left home to study in Yeshiva Ohr Hameir in Peekskill, where he became a mainstay of the Yeshiva, and inspired his younger brothers as well as several friends from the Mesivta in Melbourne to follow him. He then joined his chaburah in Jerusalem, first at the Mir Yeshiva and then at the Bais Medrash of Rav Dovid Soloveitchik, a senior scion of the famed Brisk dynasty. As his globetrotting family returned to Jerusalem, Tzvi returned to the US, to freeze in the famed, yet comparatively chilled Beth Medrash Govoha of Lakewood.

In 2004 he met his wife, Suzanne Schor, a native of the warmer Los Angeles climate, and the couple settled in Lakewood, where he focused his pioneering and independent strengths on the study of Halacha, or Jewish law. His innovative spirit and innate ability to help others seeking to clarify the finer points of Judaism and integrate them into their daily lives inspired his decision to commute daily from Lakewood to the Lower East Side of Manhattan in order to bask in the day to day exposure to the world renowned Posek, HaRav David Feinstein. The daily commute was more than compensated for when he received Semicha from Rav Feinstien and the Kollel L’Torah U’lhorah (a division of Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem) in Tamuz 5768, June 2008.

In August 2009, the Habers moved west, heading toward Los Angeles where Rabbi Haber joined the LINK-LA Kollel. After being an active member of the Kollel for several years, he joined the business world, however he is still actively involved in teaching and learning in LA.

Actively involved in all aspects of TorahLab, Tzvi has taken upon himself a quasi-role as administrator of quality control and has effectively improved and upgraded many of the smaller yet vital details involved in our site. His advice is eagerly sought and gracefully given.

Rabbi Haber is now living in the La Brea section of Los Angeles with his wonderful family. He can be contacted at tzvi@torahlab.org

Incorporating 25 years of experience and research in the field of adult Jewish education, TorahLab provides lay leaders, professional educators, and students with state-of-the-art Jewish learning tools.

Our products are designed to engage those searching for Jewish knowledge and stimulate the desire for further study.